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Future of F1 driver Nikita Mazepin in doubt as UK bans Russian drivers

Nikita Mazepin has been caught in the sanctions levelled against Russia. (Reuters: Anton Vaganov)

Russian Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin will not be allowed to race in the British Grand Prix, even if he still has a seat with the Haas team.

Mazepin, who is about to enter his second year in F1, has had his spot on the grid thrown into doubt as governments and organisations impose more sanctions against Russia over the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has banned drivers from Russia and Belarus from racing under their national flags, but will allow them to compete.

However, Motorsport UK says it will not let any Russian or Belarusian drivers or teams compete in the United Kingdom.

That means Mazepin will not be allowed to compete in July's British Grand Prix.

Motorsport UK chairman David Richards said the motorsport community needed to play its part in opposing the invasion of Ukraine.

"We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded," Richards said.

"This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d'Ukraine (FAU)."

Haas, which finished last in the 2021 F1 constructors' championship, is no longer displaying the logo of its major sponsor, Russian fertiliser company Uralkali, and there is speculation the two will part ways.

Dmitry Mazepin, Nikita's father, is a major shareholder of the company.

Nikita Mazepin has made very few public statements about his future since the Ukraine invasion started.

His last was on February 25, when he posted on social media that he would focus on what he could control.

"It's a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done," he wrote.

"I'm choosing to focus on what I can control by working hard and doing my best for my [Haas F1] team."

Mazepin finished last in the drivers' championship in 2021, unable to score a single point during the season.

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